Some people know their niche early in life. That was especially true for Sean Casey, the founder of the Sean Casey Animal Rescue Center, located at 153 East 3rd Street in Brooklyn.

“I've done it my whole life,” Casey said, a native of the area who said that helping animals came very naturally.

Casey said he first experienced working with animals through his mother, who used Trap Neuter and Release (TNR) as a way to humanely release feral cats back into the wild. After working various odd jobs, Casey said he decided to open the shelter in 2007.

“I was unhappy with what I was doing, but I'd always been good with helping animals,” Casey said.

At the start, the organization originally only accepted exotic animals, such as reptiles and birds. Now, Casey said they also accept many types of abandoned pets, primarily cats and dogs, from private owners, zoos, shelters and other public organizations.

However, with every animal brought in, there is hope that they will be placed in a new home.

“We have an average of 100 adoptions per month,” he said.

The rescue center's original facility was located in Queens, but moved to Brooklyn last year. Casey said they are currently building a new rescue center in Sunset Park that will open in early October to house more animals in need. The new building will be approximately 5,000 square feet with new multi-level condos for cats, and eight-by-three feet dog runs for canines.

With understaffed shelters and rescue centers across the city, Casey said his goal is to create a safe-haven for animals. “It's important to reach out so we can get these guys homes,” he said.